ラーメン / Ramen / Hirose Shokudo — Kurume, Fukuoka

Kurume style tonkotsu ramen is made from pork back bones, leg bones and skulls. Fresh soup made daily forms the base, with a second soup made the prior day added to adjust and balance the flavor. Medium-thin straight noodles are provided by Kurume Seimen, a local purveyor. Shoyu tare (kaeshi) is combined with garlic and msg. Topped with pork belly chashu, negi, nori and boiled egg.

This family-run restaurant is led by 2nd generation owner Takashi Hirose, whose father founded the restaurant over 60 years ago. Takashi’s wife and mother work aside him. It is said this was the first ramen restaurant in Kurume to offer fried rice along with ramen. 20 seats. Open since 1958.